Hi, I really need to lose 40 pounds in 1 month. Can I lose 40 pounds in 1 month? I weigh about 160, 180 pounds and I want to lose about 40 pounds 1 month before I graduate. I could really use a lot of help. Can you help me? Jennifer S. [via Ask Questions]

You cannot lose 40 pounds in 1 month. Most people cannot even lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks. To lose 40 pounds in 1 month, you need to lose more than 1 pound a day, every day for 30 days, which is a very hard thing to do. In fact, it is impossible to lose 40 pounds in 1 month even if you take your diet to dangerous extremes. Can you lose 40 pounds in 3 months? Nope. It takes longer to lose 40 pounds safely, without putting your health in danger.

So how long does it take to lose 40 pounds? Given the fact that most people can safely lose approximately 2 pounds a week, it takes about 20 weeks (5 months) to lose 40 pounds. Can you lose weight at a faster pace? Perhaps. Different people lose weight at different rates, but it is impossible to predict if you will be able to lose weight faster than an average person. If it happens, it happens. Do not push for it and instead focus on the important stuff.

What am I talking about? I am talking about the importance of approaching your weight loss goal with the right mindset. Do not chase the number of pounds you want to lose or how much weight you have already lost. If you want to play with numbers, makes sure that you consume the right amount of calories. Focus on the number of calories you consume every day. Be consistent. Do not obsess about every calorie, but try to keep your daily calorie consumption consistent.

As you probably already know, to lose weight, you need to intake fewer calories than you burn. But what is the most important thing? If you think that losing weight is the most important thing, think again. The most important thing here is permanently changing your eating habits. It is not about dieting to lose some weight as quickly as possible. Why not? Because losing weight is, wait for it, easy!

That’s right, it is easy to lose weight. The real work begins after that. The hard part is keeping the lost weight off. The only way you will be able to keep the lost weight off indefinitely is when you learn how to eat healthfully without depriving yourself. Counting calories is a temporarily solution. It is a tool we need to use to lose weight, but nobody can keep counting calories every day for years to come. It is simply not realistic. The solution?

Just eat healthy food. If you learn how to eat healthy, you do not need to worry about eating too much. You are not going to eat too much leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and protein. And even if you do, have you ever heard of anyone getting overweight by eating too much, say, broccoli and fish? I have not.

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